Life preserver suit



March 21; 1933. M. ANDERSON LIFE PRESERVER SUIT Filed March 21, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l c4-zLoP A/v SHA TTER PROOF GLASS gwuantoz fl'azug eludenson,

March 21, 1933. M, ANDERSQN 1,901,859

LIFE PRESERVER SUIT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 21, 1932 51m rrER PRoo F GLAS RUB BER RUBBER FA BR/C CELLZJPHANE FABRIC AND W001.

R BBER AND WOOL.

WWI.

Patented Mar. 21, 1933 unit tea

EZAUEICEANDEBSQN, E MAQQN .GZTY,

.enmmvna sure? I Application filed Eiarch 21, 183%. serial. No. its-9 2%.

The present invention relates to life preserving apparatus, and more particularly for a su t adapted to be worn by an individual so as to maintain the individual at the sur-' face level of a body of water and which will admit of the proper supply of air and water to sustain the individual for a long period in the water if necessary.

An object of the present invention is to provide a relatively light simply constructed liie preserver suit which may be quickly and easily fitted to an individual, and which is of improved construction to provide a flexible of years. i

1 Another object of the present invention is 'to provide a suit the walls of which are constructed'of a laminated fabric including a layer oflrubber and a layeriof Cellophane or similar relatively tough material adapted to reinforce and strengthen therubber and prevent the same from cracking or breaking incident-to folding of the suit when not in use. 1 I

Another object of the present invention is to provide a suit of this character with a normally deflated air pocket or ring surroundin the exterior of the suit and adapted to be 3 in ated to the desired extent either before entering the water, or after the individual has taken to the water, and toprovide an inflatable pocket or section of this character which is composed of material which is relatively strong, flexible and .which possesses the various other features above enumerated in connection with the walls of the body portion of the suit. I The invention also aims at the provision of improved means for ventilating the helmet of the suit and for admitting air thereto,

ior admitting visibility from the front of the helmet and to supply drinking water to the individual within the suit.

With the foregoing and other objects in larly rapidly deteriorate and will last over a period helmet.

view, the invention will be more fully described hereinafter, and will be more particupointed out in the claims appended hereto.

In the drawings,-wherein like symbols re- 5 fer to like or corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Figure 1 35 a perspective view of a life preserver suit as worn and constructed according to thr present invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary. enlarged section taken through the upper forward part of the suit showing the air container, the water container and'the adjacent structural parts of the suit.

Figure 3-is a detail further enlarged fragmentary view of the wall of the body portion of the suit, showing the various layers or laminations of which the-Wallis constructed.

Figure 4 is a detail perspective view of' one of the shoes or foot coverings utilized at the lower end of the suit.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary pers ective view of the upper end of the suit, sihowing the walls diagrammatically and showing the relative position of an individual to whom the suit is fitted.

- Figure 6' is a further enlarged fragmene tary view showing ajsection through the for- .ward portion ofthe helmet and showin the 9 relative positions of the upper end 0 the body of the suit on the lower end of the Figure 7 is a fragmentary enlarged'viewthrough one side of the helmet, showing the ear shield and ventilator employed;

Figure 8 is a detail perspective view of the neck portion of the life preserving suit showin the waterproof neck fold'therefor. v eferring now to-the drawings, 10 designates the body ortion of the life preserver' suit which may be of any suitable configuration adapted to conform generally to the body and which may have its lower endbifurcated to provide a pair of leg portions 11, the lower ends of which are gathered in for engagement about the angle and are stitched or otherwise suit ably and-permanently se-' cured within shoes 12, as shown particularly able shape and construction and are provided with a suitable openin in their fore part, which 0 ening may be 0%) able hook an fastener 13 and also by a plurality of straps 14 and buckles 15, as shown.

The body portion of the suit is also provided with arm portions 16 of suitable size to admit of the forcing of the hands and arms into the portion 16, and the lower ends of the portions 16 may be provided with integral mitts 17 or the like, adapted to receive the hands. The wrists 18 of the arm portions 16 may be contracted or gathered together in any suitable manner for holding the mitts 17 on the hands, but such portions 18 being of suitable size to admit of the forcing of the hands outwardly into the mitts 17.

The body ortion 10 of the suit is provided with a aminated wall or walls which, as shown in Figure 3 preferably comprises a central layer 19 of Cellophane or similar tough flexible material impervious to air or moisture.

Cemented or otherwise suitably secured against the opposite sides of the Cellophane layer 19 are layers 20 of fabric of any suitable light and durable construction to provide a means of connecting outer layers to the Cellophane and which also serves as a cushioning and protecting layer at each side of the Cellophane to prevent damage thereto incident to the sharp folding of the suit when not in use. The fabric layers 20 also assist in offsetting penetration or puncturing of the wall of the body 10 incident to con- I tact with sharp objects or the like.

To the outer fabric layer 20 is secured an outer layer of rubber 21 which is adapted also to resist passage of moisture or air through the wall of the suit, and which is also adapted to offset, together with the Cellophane layer 19, the transmission of heat back and forth through the wall of the suit. The inner layer 20 of fabric preferably carries a wool layer 22 of the desired thickness and texture to not only rovide a soft lining for the inner side of t e suit to prevent chafing or discomfort to the wearer, but to also add warmth to the suit so that where it is necessary to remain in the suit for a long eriod of time the wearer will not become c illed. The upper end of the body portion 10 of the suit is provided with a suitable opening or fold 23 which is adapted to be closed by a suitable fastener 24, or the like, and which may be of any suitable construction or folding to admit of the steppin into the suit and drawing the same upward y about the body and also admit of the quick and easy removal of the suit by a reverse operation.

Surroundin the body portion 10 of the suit between t e waist portion thereof and the arm-pits, is an air container or ring 25 which is flexible and collapsible and which,

sed by a slid-' portion 10, which extends upwardly and is' folded inwardly with its upper edge portion turned downwardly and cemented or otherwise suitably secured to the body part 10 at a point above the waist portion of the suit. Suflicient fullness is given to the material of the air container 25 to permit the same to expand and extend outwardly about the suit for confining a desired amount of air for sustaining the suit with its occupant in a relatively upright position when m the water.

The wall of this flexible and deflatable air container is preferably also of laminated construction with an intermediate layer 26 of Cellophane and with inner and outer layers 27 and 28 of rubber or like material. The

air container is thus flexible, is impervious to air and moisture, and may be somewhat distended or bulged outwardly under pressure of the air into substantially the position shown in Figures 1, 2 and 5.

The upper part of the air container is provided with a suitable air valve 29 which is located within easy reach of the wearer and preferably at the front of the suit, and attached to the air valve 29 is a hand pump 30 which may be cemented or otherwise suitably secured to the air container within "easy reach of the wearer so that the air container may be inflated to a more or less extent even after the wearer has entered the water as the suit is designed to maintain the upper part thereof pro ecting a suflicient distance out of the water to free the head and shoulders of the wearer.

The air container is also utilized for housing thereina water receptacle or container 31 which is preferably constructed of rubber and which may be of any suitable configuration. The water container is connected by means of a nipple 32 through the upper wall of the air container, as shown to advantage in Figures 2 and 5, and a tube 33, which is preferably flexible, is disposed throu h the nipple 32 with the lower end of the tu in the water container and with the upper end of the tube extending upwardly for positioning in the helmet of the suit so that the wearer may withdraw, by suction, drinking water from the container from time to time.

The suit is provided with a suitable helmet 34 shaped generally to the configuration of sash 36 upwardly into the top of the helmet 39 38 also serves to initiate or divide the air currents which may how about vwithin the helmet so as to more readily insure the breath: ing of pure air and the expulsion of air which i has been breathed. The shield 38 also protectsthe mouth when the head is inserted in wool.

the helmet.

In each side of the helmet- 34 there is provided a preferably circular ventilating and sound admitting opening 39. This openingmay he defined toy an aluminum frame, or the like, of ring form and which carries at its innor side an aluminum shield or diaphragm 40 reierably covered at its inner side with eather or other suitable protecting material it adapted to register with the ear of the wearer, as shown to advantage in Fi re vThe o hing in the frame 39 is pre erahly provi ed w th as'creen 42 of suitable mesh to prevent entrance of material" or objects floating about in the water. The upper part of the frame 39, between the shield wand the outer wall of the helmet-3d, is provided with an air space which is protected hy a screen 43 as shown in Figure 7. Thus, air may freely enter through the opening or frame 33 into the sace between the same the shield H air may rise through the screen 43 into the top of the helmet and may circulate therethrough in either direction.

The helmet he is preferably also (ZOIIStI'HCt. ed of a laminated sheet or wall, and as shown to advantage in Figure 7, the central or intermediate layer it is preferably Cellophsne with an outer layer or covering 45 of ruhher, and an inner lining or layer 46 of The helmet 3a is properly spaced shout the head by means of a semi-circular ruhher hloclr or stri 47 which may he sothe helmet in the interior thereoi tor engagement with the head so as to space the rear and side portions of the helmet from he head and relieve the ears from any pressure incident to the pressure of the helmet. helmet 34 is provided a lower portion with a spacing loloclr d8 of rnhher or other suitahle material for with the chin and the hloclr 48 is adapted to cooperate with the block 4'? torholding helmet in position all times. The upper portion of the body 10 of the life preserver suit is provided with a gathered in neck part 49 which preferably has an outstanding flange 5d at its upper edge for receiving therehetween' the inturned flange cured shout the hue and opposite sides of 51 of the helmet 34 so as to substantially interlock the body portion 10 with the helmet 34 when the split neck 52 of the helmet is closed about the upstanding neck portion of the body 10 b means of the strap or fastener 53, shown in igure 1.

The lower end of the helmet may be provided with any suitably constructed apron 54 adapged to overlap the upper neck ortion,

of the d. 10 and coo feet a tight fittin joint between the body and the helmet. he frame 35 of the helmet 34 is provided with slotted guides 55 upon rate therewit to cfwhich is slidably mounted a vizor 56 which a may he slid upwardly out of the line of vision and out of the wa of the front of the helmet when it is desire to slide the sash 36 into a more or less open position.

From the above description, it is thought the use of the life reserver suit will he thoroughly understoo The suit may he tolded compactly into a small space, and when it is necessary to use the same it may be quickly extended and the user may step into the upper end of the suit and draw the suit upward- 7. ly shout the body and then told and close the upper port of the body by means of the slide fastener 24: or the like, and then the helmet 34 may be fitted over the head and over the neck d9 of the body portion of the suit. l/Vhen the neck hand .52 is drawn taut and secured by the fastener '53, the helmet is bound and sealed over the upper end of the suit.

The shoes 12 may now be secured by means of the stra ,1: and buckles 14 and 15, and also by the side fastener 13 to securely hold the lower end of the suit on the feet.

The pump 30 may now be operated, if

ma from time to time draw drinking water which may he carriedin the container 31.

The ear shield 40 not only protects the ear I of the wearer hut also serves as a trap for diresting a current of the air in the upper part of the helmet 3 3 so that when water is im pasted against the side of the helmet it will not strilre the ear or the head hut will strike against the shield be deflected outwardly through the irnme 29, and is also permitted to drain through the frame through one or more drainage openings 57 as shown in Fignres i and i.

' The visor 56 may he adjusted to protect the sash 3t, andthe latter may he with a pane of shattenprooi glass or other suitahle suhstence to admit visibility through the front of the helmet. By sliding the 36 upwardly the frame 35 more is afforded the interior of the helmet, and access may be gained to the head of the occuant. p As shown in Figure 8 the neck portion 49 carries, in the opening 23 thereof, a sealing fold 58 adapted to be overlapped when the neck portion of the suit is closed and which may be of such size as to admit access to the suit when the neck portion is' opened. The helmet 30 is sealed about the neck portion and this insures a tight water seal about the same.

It is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made in the details of construction and design of the above specifically described embodiment of this invention without departing from the spirit thereof, such chan es and modifications being restricted only y the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A life preserver suit, comprising a flexible body portion, a helmet interfitting in the upper end of the body portion, said body portion and helmet having walls composed of laminated layers including a layer of Cellophane.

2. A life preserver suit, comprising a flexible body portion having a wall composed of laminations including a layer of Cellophane, a layer of rubber at the outer side of the suit, and a lining comprising a wool layer at the inner side of the suit.

3. A life preserver suit having a flexible body wall including a layer of Cellophane, a layer of fabric on each side of the layer of cellophane, a layer of rubber at the outer side of the suit, and a layer of wool secured over the fabric at the inner side of the suit.

4. A life preserver suit, comprising abody portion having a flexible wall, an air container secured about the upper part of the body portion and comprising a flexible wall, and a helmet mounted on the upper end of the body portion, said body portion, air container and helmet composed of laminations including a layer of Cellophane for increasing the strength of the respective walls.

5. A life preserver suit comprising a body portion, a helmet'detachably connected to the upper end of the body portion, lateral frames mounted in the opposite sides of the helmet and having openings therethrough, shields carried b the helmet spaced inwardly from the said rames to receive impact of the water thereagainst and protect the head and for deflecting air upwardly through the openings into the top of the helmet, and spacing means carried within the helmet for engagement with the head to center the helmet on the head.

6. In a life preserver, a helmet having a guide frame extending upwardly in its front wall and into the top of the helmet, a vizor slidably mounted on the guide frame, a transparent sash mounted in the guide frame adapted for adjustment beneath the vizor to open and close the front of the helmet, and a deflecting shield carried upon the ide frame and spaced inwardly from the ower end of the sash in overlapping relation thereto for protecting the mouth when the head is inserted in the helmet.

7. In a life preserver suit, a helmet having a guide frame in the front wall thereof extending into the top of the helmet, a transparent sash slidably mounted in the guide frame, a vizor suitably mounted on the guide frame above the sash, spacing means arranged in the helmet for engaging the head to center the head therein, and air inlet traps mounted in the opposite sides of the helmet for protecting the ears and directing the head in the helmet.

8. A life preserver suit, comprising a flexible body portion, a flexible air container secured about the upper part of the body portion, an air valve secured through the upper side of said air container, a pump carried upon the air container at the outer side thereof and connected to said valve for supplying air to the container, a water container mounted within the air container and adapted to contain drinking water, a helmet detachably connected to the upper end of the flexible body, and a tube extending from the lower portion of the water container u Wardly into said helmet for supplying driniiing water to the wearer of the suit.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

MAURICE ANDERSON. 

